Wales coach Matt Sherratt rules out experiments for Ireland clash

Sherratt makes eight changes but insists Six Nations game is not for testing.

Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt speaks during a press conference at the Vale Resort in Hensol, Wales, on February 20, 2025. Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Images

By Randy Ahmad and Adila Ghina

Interim Wales coach Matt Sherratt has ruled out any experimentation for the team’s upcoming Six Nations clash against Ireland, despite their ongoing struggle in international rugby. Wales head into the match on the back of 14 consecutive Test defeats, their longest losing streak in history.

Sherratt, who currently serves as head coach of Cardiff Blues, took charge of the national team following Warren Gatland’s departure. He will oversee Wales’ final three Six Nations matches, beginning with Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday, followed by fixtures against Scotland and England.

Changes in squad but focus on familiarity

Sherratt has made eight changes to the side that suffered a 22-15 defeat against Italy, a result that ultimately led to Gatland’s departure. Among the most notable inclusions are Gloucester fly-half Gareth Anscombe and center Max Llewellyn, neither of whom were in Gatland’s original Six Nations squad. Additionally, Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans has been called up.

Despite these changes, Sherratt emphasized that the team’s structure remains intact. “The players have a lot of familiarity, so I thought it was important to pick a team that had some cohesion, especially around the 9-10-12-13 positions,” Sherratt said.

No time for experiments against Ireland

Given the quality of Ireland, Sherratt believes this is not the time to test new strategies or players. “I don’t feel playing Ireland is a time to experiment,” he said. “Having combinations that already understand each other and can communicate effectively on the field is crucial.”

He indicated that the summer tour to Japan would be a more suitable opportunity to integrate younger players into the squad. “Japan in the summer is the time to blood youngsters,” he noted.

However, Sherratt did name one new cap in his starting XV—winger Ellis Mee, who has only played 10 games for Scarlets since joining from Nottingham in the English second tier.

“He's looked brilliant this week,” Sherratt said. “Seeing his reaction after selection was one of those moments that remind you why you coach. I hope he just goes out and enjoys playing for his country.”

Finding a balance in a short preparation time

Sherratt admitted that his ability to influence the team has been limited, given the short turnaround time. With only four training sessions, including two full-contact run-outs, he has had to focus on the essentials.

“I’ll be honest with you, it’s tough,” Sherratt said. “I was in Ireland last weekend for Cardiff’s game against Connacht, flew straight back, and went straight into a Wales coaches’ meeting on Sunday.”

Balancing detailed tactical input with clarity for the players has been a challenge. “It’s a fine balance,” he said. “I’ve had to remind myself not to overload the players with information. There’s a lot I’d like to get across, but this week has been about setting a framework where the players feel comfortable and can put all their energy into execution.”

Despite the struggles, Sherratt insisted there has been no lack of effort from the squad. “We just needed to channel that effort in the right direction. Hopefully, we’ll see some signs of that against one of the best teams in the world.”

Wales’ identity and the challenge ahead

Sherratt believes that defining a clear identity is crucial for Wales moving forward. “Our challenge as a Welsh squad is to make sure we stand for something and have a clear identity,” he said. “I want the players to be brave. If they see space, I don’t want us to die wondering. If there’s an error, there’s an error.”

However, he acknowledged that a completely free-flowing approach would not be practical. “I’ve been in the game long enough to know that you can’t just say ‘go out and have a crack’—that gets messy,” he added.

Looking ahead to the match, Sherratt expects a highly physical encounter. “Historically, Wales-Ireland games have always been ferocious battles,” he said. “They won’t change their mindset. Ireland are very, very good at imposing their game on the opposition. They make slight tweaks but stick to their core strategy both at the provincial and national levels.”

As Wales prepares to face one of the tournament’s strongest sides, Sherratt’s emphasis remains on stability, structure, and a disciplined approach. Whether his changes will be enough to break the losing streak remains to be seen.

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